Hockey and table tennis stars receive BMet’s top sporting honours
Jason Allen, Department Manager said: “The college has enjoyed a tremendous year of success for both individual and team sports, showcasing the breadth of sporting opportunities our talented students can participate in. Louie and Lauren spearheaded our achievements, not only by competing at the highest level, but also being committed to their studies, training and extracurricular activities such as coaching. They are excellent role models with bright futures ahead.”
As a member of the 2015-16 men’s and mixed hockey teams, Louie from Tipton scored 36 goals in 24 games. He was also the Great Britain Colleges’ hockey team’s highest ever scorer, hitting 22 goals in 28 games.
“It’s a real honour to have received this award for an outstanding performance,” said the 19-year-old who also plays for Cannock Hockey Club and represents BMet in cricket and volleyball. “This year has been full of amazing highlights such as winning the national hockey league and the cup. I feel I’ve developed a good instinct for when and where to score from, getting the right results.”
The foundation degree sports development and coaching student continued: “I feel really ambitious about the hockey teams’ prospects for next year. The coaching from BMet teachers has given us a strong work ethic, so when we are on form, we can easily be one of the best teams in the country.
“I’m still going to be the men’s hockey team captain in September and plan taking on more coaching responsibilities.”
Sportswoman, Lauren’s celebrations were all the more special as she was awarded the title for the second year running.
“In 2015, I was table tennis national champion and had finished the first year of my course with top grades,” said Lauren from Amington, Tamworth. “I didn’t think I could top that, so to have been chosen for the award again was overwhelming.”
The 18-year-old won a silver medal in the Association of Colleges Sport national championships and has been a successful badminton and volleyball player.
“The national championships are an eye-opening experience because you’re competing against the best students in the country,” Lauren continued. “The standard in table tennis was much higher this year, so I was really pushed physically and mentally. I’m always looking for the chance to test myself and that’s exactly what I got to experience.
Having achieved a triple distinction star in her sports course and secured a table tennis, Lauren is going to Nottingham Trent University in September to study sport and exercise science.
“I’d like to play table tennis for as long as possible,” added Lauren, who is currently 29th in the national under 21 rankings. “My BTEC course and the college have really shaped me as an individual. I’m confident about what I can achieve in the classroom and as a competitor. There hasn’t been a time at BMet when I haven’t learned something about myself. It’s been an amazing journey.”
The BMet Sport Team of the Year was the Kidderminster Harriers Academy’s First Team who are based at Stourbridge College’s centre of excellence in Kidderminster.